Start your job search

Are you ready to start looking for a job? There are things you can do to prepare for your job search. Learn how to prepare your information and find out where to look for jobs.

Gather information for your job search

The first thing you should do is start thinking about the job skills you have. What experience do you have that will help you in your job search? Can your certifications from another country be used in the USA? What days, hours, and times you are willing to work? Thinking about these things ahead of time will prepare you to start your job search.

Your work history

What kind of work have you done in the past? What kind of job skills do you have? Answering these questions will help you know what type of jobs you can apply for in the United States. For example, if you worked as a mechanic in the past, you may be able to find work as a mechanic again. If you worked in medicine, you can research how to get a certification.

Write down all of your past jobs and any work experience you have. Make a list of information for each job you have done, including:

The city and country where you worked

The company name

The type of work you did

Your responsibilities on the job

When you started and ended the job

How much you were paid

Why you left the job

Your work skills

Your skills are anything you know how to do. If you think about your job skills as well as the types of jobs you have had, you will realize that you can apply for new types of jobs if you have the right skills.

Think about your skills in two areas, and write them down:

1. General job skills are ones that apply to many jobs. They include things like being
on time, being friendly, the ability to work with other people, being able to work safely and
being able to learn quickly. These types of skills are sometimes called “soft skills.”

2. Work-related skills include things such as being able to operate a forklift, measure
accurately, drive a truck, prepare legal documents or operate software. These types of skills are sometimes called “hard skills.”

Can you apply your skills in other areas?

Think about a mechanic again: a mechanic has the skills of measuring accurately and using tools safely. These are job skills that are needed in other jobs, too. For example, you can use these job skills in construction and even cooking.

Your past education

You will need to give information about your educational background. This includes names and locations of schools you attended, start and finish dates and whether you graduated.

The educational system in your native country may be different from the American system – a different numbers of grades to complete high school, for example. The university system may have different levels of achievement than those you will find here. Sometimes you will have to “fit” your information into documents that are designed for native-born jobseekers.

You might have gone to a school that was famous or hard to get into. Make sure to write that under the school’s name on the resume. You can say something like, “The Technological Institute of the Philippines is considered one of the best schools in the country.”

Your training

Even if you did not finish high school or go to college, you should include any other training you have completed when you list your past education. For example, many refugees have taken leadership classes or community health training in camp or after resettlement. You should write down any training you have taken.

Your languages

If you speak more than one language, that is an important asset in your job search. Make sure to also write down every language you speak besides English. Do not write down English. Employers will assume you speak English from reading your resume.

Professional references

Professional references are people who will say you are a good worker. It can be hard to supply references when you first arrive. Maybe most or all of your past job references are in another country. You can use an overseas reference if your reference and your employer can speak the same language. If your reference speaks English and your employer speaks English, or if they both speak Somali, you may be able to use your overseas employer as a reference.

Your contact information

You will need to know all of your contact information, including how to format your first, middle and last names in applications, your phone number, address, and email address. In your resume, you will not need to include personal information such as your date of birth, age, or marital status. You might need to share that information in applications. Read resume tips and find a resume template.

Proof that you are allowed to work

You will need to prove you are legally allowed to work in the USA. You must give your social security number to your employer. You may also have to complete a background check and prove to your employer you have not committed any crimes.

What comes next in a job search?

Once you have gathered your information, there are other things you can do to help you in your job search.

Job search networking

It is important that you build a professional network. This means connecting with people who may give your references or help you find jobs. In your first job, for example, get to know the people who work with you when you can.

You can attend job fairs in your community. Companies often hold events where they can tell you about the job openings they have, the kind of employee they are looking for, and how you can apply. When going to a job fair, make sure you bring copies of your resume with you. Introduce yourself to the representatives of the companies you like, explain what type of job you are looking for, and give them your information.

Join volunteer efforts

When you have time, volunteer at a local organization. You will be able to use your skills or develop new ones while you help others. The skills you gain will benefit you in your career search, and you will have the chance to learn more about American culture. You will also create contacts who might be able to speak on your behalf when you need a job reference. Read more about volunteering and internship jobs.

Get your degree evaluated

You may want to consider having your degree evaluated. To do this, you submit your credentials to a transcript evaluation company. The company will look at your past education and say if your degree or certification is valid to use in the USA . This service can sometimes be expensive.

Learn more

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